The Heartlands Endure

[LithiumSedai 5750]

 

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TO OUR RESTORED REALM,

 

For the very first time I address you as your King, and even in this darkest hour of sorrow and mourning my thoughts and those of the Royal Family reside with the peoples of our Union. To all those good and faithful subjects, be they of noble stock or of common blood, to all who partake in the ties of our unbreakable Union, we send our most affectionate and heartfelt greetings.

 

Throughout his life, His Majesty the King - my father - was a guiding beacon of our national story. A man of destiny, whose promise to drive these Heartlands to a better state than he found it was one well kept. His commitment to restoring the dignity of Man in these Heartlands of ours, through forging our Union under the ancient banner of Horen, Owyn, and Godwin, had always been fostered by the loyalty, generosity, and unshakable resolve of our citizens of every rank and stature. To you all: from Minitz to Florentine; from the snow-capped Arentanian mountains to the deep heart of Velen, I renew that same commitment of service for as long as God shall grant me life.

 

As my own life now changes, so too must the lives of my family, to whom I hold profound care and kindness. My spouse, Edith, becomes Queen. Despite these Heartlands not being the land of her birth, Queen Edith has shown a magnitude of devotion and tenderness to this nation which exceeds those expected of any loyal citizen. 

 

My heir, Henry, who has shown such strength and resilience for his youth, and who feels a passionate and unending drive to serve the nation, will be created Lord of Alba. It has been my wholehearted duty and honour to serve as the Lord of Alba - a responsibility I was not raised to expect but one I have learnt to nurture over the course of twenty-six years. I know that as my son and heir, Henry will maintain his solemn promise to the nation.

 

The restoration of our government and institutions, set back by the greatest upheaval many of our generation have known, shall be no easy task. As King Charles did with preeminent devotion, I too solemnly pledge myself to uphold the constitutional principles at the heart of our nation. Though our Realm and the world at large are beset by hostile forces in an ever-expanding conflict, I have always believed in the resilience of our Union, and I place my faith in God and His Prophet Horen, our Father, to deliver us victory and, at last, peace.

 

In this stern and solemn time, I convey my admiration to our Royal Forces under arms, who continue to do battle with the unrepentant alongside our gallant, faithful allies of the Canonist League at the invisible border which separates the loyal territories from the occupied Lower Petra. I say to them that their hallowed ancestors - Nauzicans, Knights-Immortal, defenders of the Faith - can rightly be proud of them, for there can be no greater undertaking than the ardent and zealous protection of both their lands and livelihoods and the precepts of our Holy Mother Church.

 

History will not be kind to our enemy in turn, for it never has been to those who stray from civility in selfish, primitive pursuit of power through force. Our adversaries have failed to learn this lesson: the strength of God does not serve the wicked. Our enemies have forgotten the bitter collapse of the Aurelian regime they so revere, though its agents had infamously perpetrated the vicious burning of the Duchy of Adria they lay claim to: such is the inevitable fate of every government built upon a foundation of oppression, lies and fear. 

 

A graver sin still is their stubborn adherence to heresy and apostasy - it is the folly of every unrepentant, as it had happened with the Anathema, to declare love for the Church and its teachings yet disobey the High Pontiff and disregard his interdict, to insist that the faithful of the world united against their cause are in the wrong and that solely they have the right. I salute those valiant hearts who stand in opposition to this iniquity, and commend their cause to God, for again, the fate of every schismatic thus far has been none other than defeat.

 

Though the future will be hard, our feet are firmly planted on the path of Victory, and through God’s guidance we shall persevere and achieve lasting peace and perpetual justice, reinforced by the bonds of brotherhood forged by the faithful in this war. Piety will be restored and celebrated across our Union, and our Estates shall prosper with the Crown at the helm. To all and each one of you I declare:

 

 

 

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Given at Florentine,

on the 12th of Owyn’s Flame, 1923

 

 

His Royal Majesty, JAMES LEOPOLD, King of Aaun, Prince of Alstion, Duke of Corazon and Balemena, Count of Enswerp and Florentine, Protector of the Realm

 

[ratlordmagic 1484]

"A strong address for a strong king." Waclaw Jazloviecki nodded approvingly. "Welcome, royal Jamie."

[Javert 9628]

"God bless the King!" Says Louis Owyn Haverlock as he makes preparations to swear fealty to his Kinsman

[Franczhiz 4437]

"It is a blessing that Uncle James is now King and succeeded my late grandfather, Charles, GOD rest his soul. I shall pray for his reign and for the measures that His Majesty shall take in pursuit of the conflict between the Canonist League and the Duchy of Adria." Caius Godwin stated whilst reading the missive on his steed, travelling back to Aaun in preparation for his grandfather's funeral. "GOD bless The King."

[TheosVult 392]

"Long live King James! King of Aaun!" shouted Konstantin von Augusten, before hastily commissioning a portrait of the new King, to hang in his office.

[Axelu 4333]

The youngest daughter of King James, Augusta Charlotte, waded at the foremost hall within their homestead in Florentine, her garments as black as coal. In her arms, this princess - no older than ten - had always perceived her grandfather as a figure to be revered - a spectre of a man with an August path and righteous mission. As the days endured beyond His Majesty's passing, and the remnants of King Charles's reign were succeeded by the banners of King James, Augusta had judiciously spied upon her father rehearsing his Kingly vows, resounding promises to his people and lands spilling from his mouth. At this moment, she knew that her father, James Leopold, would shortly assume the responsibilities of her grandfather, and duly did she pray for his success and endurance.

[Caranthir_ 2533]

Somewhere - in some manner of place set about crickets and woodpeckers - an aged, but perhaps not yet grey, Dael ponders His Majesty's address. A solemn man, he thinks of the boy he grew up alongside. A sober man, he thinks of the gambler who he once frequented round-tables with. A loyal man, he thinks of the King his dear friend James has become. 

 

Perhaps it is time, Iain Gromach thinks, to come back into his Kings service.

[exogens 934]

"Long Live the new King, James!" Emir raised his fist up with full pride over his new monarch. "We will be in your aid in times of need, always and forever! AVE AAUN! AVE JAMIE! AVE ... uhh ..." He paused awkwardly find the 3rd, suitable Ave. "Ave... uh... Alba? Yeah, ALBA!" he stated cheerfully.

[Olox_ 4318]

Aleksander Jazloviecki, late as always, smiled at the King's declaration and with a nod exclaimed "Welcome Royal Jamie" Then he went to nail the declaration to the noticeboard

 

 

[MadOne 4945]

Brandt Barclay sends King James a letter, congratulating him on his ascension.